2004 Community Partnership Awards

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Needs Assessment & Implementation Plan for Neighborhood-Based Services Coordination

Abstract:

Beyond Shelter is collaborating with the UCLA Department of Social Welfare to support its Neighborhood Revitalization Project (NRP) in South Central Los Angeles. The collaboration with Mary Brent Wehrli will assist Beyond Shelter in its ongoing efforts to address critical needs of children, youth and families living in a targeted area along South Broadway. The collaboration with UCLA will focus on conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to assist in the implementation of "neighborhood-based services coordination" at two Neighborhood Resource Centers currently in development.

The goals for the neighborhood assessment are the following:

• Complete a review of existing data about the neighborhood.
• Collect information about neighborhood strengths/resources and weaknesses/needs through surveys with community residents, organizations, and stakeholders.
• Analyze the data and develop a report.
• Utilize the report to develop a manual - Needs Assessments and Implementation Plan for Neighborhood-Based Services Coordination in South Los Angeles.
• Disseminate the manual to community groups throughout L.A. County, as a vital tool for the revitalization of decaying and underserved neighborhoods.

Under the guidance of the faculty member, graduate students will assist in the neighborhood needs assessments and surveys and hopefully play an ongoing role in the Neighborhood Revitalization Project through internships and research projects.